Toys R Us

[MillauFr]

On the contrary, the business model worked all too well. . A capital company saddled it with excessive debt to take it private, and then proceeded to bleed it dry. The company went bankrupt but certain individuals made money.

If that business model works so well why doesn't someone start up a Toys R us 2.0 from scratch?

 

[fab1976]

Toys R Us Canada is not closing, in case anyone wants to make a drive up to “visit” one! There is a company that bought the Canadian division or something, so ours will still be operating as usual. Really is sad they are closing in the USA I do see why, but it was such a big deal back when they first opened.

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

If that business model works so well why doesn't someone start up a Toys R us 2.0 from scratch?

It made money for exactly who it was designed to make money for. I thought I made that perfectly clear.

 

[Planogirl]

Toys R Us used to be such a fun place to shop. They had interesting collectibles, a great selection of board games and plenty to browse through. It all seemed to go downhill when they combined the stores with Kids R Us. I still enjoy brick and mortar shopping but haven't been to a Toys R Us for many years.

 

[Meglen]

Many other stores sell toys and at much cheaper prices. Walmart , Target, barns and Noble( yes they sell toys and sometimes 50% off,
), Kohl's, Best buy, game stop, Christmas tree shop (for cheaper stuff). So lots of options. I don't see the reason to worry.

 

[EveDallas]

I take it they are going online only. I like shopping this way, but your right, when things move forward that are a certain charm that will be gone. Im still mad I haven't smelled the paper of a book in years

They're out of business completely. Website has already been shut down.

 

[Geoff_M]

If that business model works so well why doesn't someone start up a Toys R us 2.0 from scratch?

Here's a good video that explains what happened to TRU...

 

[anniemae]

Our local store was busy on weekends, but I noticed it was lots of browsers, not a lot of buyers. We would rarely buy stuff unless it was on sale. If my kids found something they liked, for a b-day or x-mas gift, I would quickly look on Amazon and find it for much cheaper. So I would buy from Amazon.

 

[CarolAnn856]

The only two stores around here weren't in the greatest areas. And the last time I went to one, the store was a mess and looked dirty.

 

[luvsJack]

My kids always called it Toys For Us. They always got gift cards from their grandparents, saved them up and got a trampoline. Many hours spent on it.

Our Toys 'R Us closed after Katrina in 2005 and never reopened. I was mad and never drove the hour to shop with them again. So, in a,way I say serves them right!

Are you on the coast? I did a lot of shopping down there this past Christmas. Blew my mind that there is no toy store. Biloxi had Toys R Us years before we got one.

Used to love TRU and shopped there a lot when my kids were young. Now it seems like the grandkids usually want things that are cheaper and easier to find at Amazon.

 

[MarBee]

Our local store was busy on weekends, but I noticed it was lots of browsers, not a lot of buyers. We would rarely buy stuff unless it was on sale. If my kids found something they liked, for a b-day or x-mas gift, I would quickly look on Amazon and find it for much cheaper. So I would buy from Amazon.

Wonder if Amazon’s prices will still remain cheap once there’s no competition...?

 

[anniemae]

Wonder if Amazon’s prices will still remain cheap once there’s no competition...?

I think so. There are still a lot of stores to buy inexpensive toys like Walmart, Target, Barnes and Noble. Walmart seems to be where most people go if they want a brick and mortar store.

 

[Hikergirl]

They should just apply for jobs at Amazon. They are desperate to hire people. They had 9,000 job openings in Seattle last time I checked. I ride past the Day 1 building on my way to work and there is a line of people stretching around the block. They can't hire fast enough.

That would be great for those who have Amazon near them.

 

[frostedpink]

The prices were outrageous at TRU. Another thing I noticed was that they were terrible at advertising their sales. I remember that they would have a lot of unadvertised sales that you’d only happen upon if you walked by the paper printed sign hanging on the shelf. Sometimes they were good deals and it was a shame that no one knew about the sale.

I also noticed the opposite issue where something would be advertised in the Black Friday ad but then they wouldn’t have a sign up by the product. Very confusing for the consumer

 

[Southernmiss]

Are you on the coast? I did a lot of shopping down there this past Christmas. Blew my mind that there is no toy store. Biloxi had Toys R Us years before we got one.

Used to love TRU and shopped there a lot when my kids were young. Now it seems like the grandkids usually want things that are cheaper and easier to find at Amazon.

I am on the coast-Gulfport. And yes, Biloxi at Edgewater Mall was our store that never reopened after Katrina. Left me a little salty that TRU chose to not be a part of rebuilding the Coast.

I used to buy only their brand diapers at Toys r Us when we had kids in diapers. Stocked up and used coupons.

We have had a small pop up KB toy store open in the outlets in Gulfport at Christmas time.

The little kids in our family have grown up, so toys now come from Target or Amazon when I need them for great nieces and nephews.

Minor Toy Store is still in Ocean Springs, though both Mr. And Mrs. Minor died last year in their 90s. The last I knew, their daughter has kept it open. Such a neat little store, just don't get to Ocean Springs unless I plan a day to go over for a festival or something.

 

[MillauFr]

That would be great for those who have Amazon near them.

Most of the people in the line at Day 1 are not from Washington state. They are moving from out of state

 

[PollyannaMom]

View attachment 314596

Love that!

That’s what I don’t get. And maybe things are different here, but do ppl not take their little kids to the toy store to pick stuff out sometimes? Everyone I know shops online a good bit, but also still visits brick & mortar stores frequently.

I did when DS was young, but we had a couple of great little mom & pop shops around here that I loved! They were a little less overwhelming and had great customer service. - Hopefully, this whole thing will at least help any of those that are left.

I did go to the "nearest" (still not convenient) TRU several times, though, and had good luck with prices.

 

[Hikergirl]

Most of the people in the line at Day 1 are not from Washington state. They are moving from out of state

I'm sure there are alot of people that do that, but it isn't so easy for alot of others.
I wonder what Amazon is paying and what type of jobs they are offering, is it really worth it to move for a minimum or slightly above minimum wage job? Seattle is a HCL area, are the jobs worth an hour commute so people can afford to live where they work?
Most of the people working at our TRU and BRU were teens and very young 20's and I don't think they were there for their careers. Anyway, for those who can it is great, but there are still many who can't and are now looking for a new job. Hopefully it won't be so hard to find something.

 

[luvsJack]

I am on the coast-Gulfport. And yes, Biloxi at Edgewater Mall was our store that never reopened after Katrina. Left me a little salty that TRU chose to not be a part of rebuilding the Coast.

I used to buy only their brand diapers at Toys r Us when we had kids in diapers. Stocked up and used coupons.

We have had a small pop up KB toy store open in the outlets in Gulfport at Christmas time.

The little kids in our family have grown up, so toys now come from Target or Amazon when I need them for great nieces and nephews.

Minor Toy Store is still in Ocean Springs, though both Mr. And Mrs. Minor died last year in their 90s. The last I knew, their daughter has kept it open. Such a neat little store, just don't get to Ocean Springs unless I plan a day to go over for a festival or something.

Yeah we are usually shopping in Biloxi, Gulfport and maybe Bay St Louis. Will have to visit Minor Toy Store. Sounds like a place I would enjoy!

TRU in Biloxi saved me the Christmas Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles were THE toy. My sons were the age for them. So hard to find them. Had a friend of a friend who would grab what she could at TRU down there for me! They seemed to get more in than Walmart which was all we had at the time.

 

[Kellykins1218]

Our Toys R Us is awesome and I don't find them to be over priced for what we buy. Our Target, Meijer, and Walmart all have very small toy sections and carry very little of what my kids are into (Cars & Thomas.) I'm hoping we get one of the KB Toys stores this Christmas. I worked at KB (Kaybee) for 15 years and still have one of my shirts. I want to go apply wearing it lol.